Tag Archives: cameras

lighting up the night …

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. A decade or two after Edison invented the first practical electric light and Westinghouse won the idea for electricity distribution, a world’s fair was held in Buffalo NY close to Niagara Falls – the prime source of electricity in … Continue reading →

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May 3, 2026 Spring Auction

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Robert

Toronto.  Our  Spring  Auction is on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 in Long Branch (south west Toronto) at the usual venue  – free parking [OVERFLOW AT GO TRAIN LOT JUST WEST of HALL] and free admission. This is an Estates auction … Continue reading →

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shrewd marketing …

Posted on April 12, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Some high end camera manufacturers came up with a shrewd means to gain exposure. The firms marketed various items associated with their name or marque. For example, Leitz offered items like the Swiss army knife at left branded with … Continue reading →

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the tale of a long lens …

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. On a chilly February 15 night in 1983, I attended the PHSC monthly meeting as I usually did each month. A young man (Leon) approached me offering a 135mm Elmar that was once his father’s.  I declined the offer … Continue reading →

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spring is in the air …

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. … and our spring auction is coming up fast. At left is an item from our spring auction six years ago in 2020. The Sigma Zoom 120mm – 400mm is an example of what you may find this year. … Continue reading →

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it’s light and sharp, said Bill …

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Robert

Toronto … as he showed me the Angular f/3.3 28mm screw mount Leica lens by Berthiot of Paris. We were at the March 19th, 1986 PHSC meeting. The little lens in a brass, aluminum coated mount, went on trips to … Continue reading →

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taking a shine to things

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Image collectors have a wide range of sources available for unusual old images. At left is what seems to be a tintype of a youngster polishing shoes. The image is tagged as lot 47 in the Capitol Gallery‘s Spring … Continue reading →

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by popular demand …

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Robert
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cut ups

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. Camera collectors sometimes collect various odds and ends related to cameras such as plate and film holders. When film evolved late in the 1800s, for a time film rolls and film holders overlapped. Using a thicker base, cut (sheet) … Continue reading →

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A dfferent Petzval lens

Posted on April 1, 2026 by Robert

Toronto. The late Willi Nassau talks about a special lens in his collection in the issue 27-2 column, “A Treasure From My Collection”. Willi was a long time PHSC member, WLU lecturer on photography, and a close friend of the … Continue reading →

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